Improvement in grain-separators



R. B. ROBERTSON. Grain-Separatore..

10.207,985. Patented sept. 1o, 187s.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERTSON B. ROBERTSON, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN-SEPARATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,985, datedSeptember 10, 1878; application filed April 29, 1878. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERTSON BLAIR Ron` ER'rsON, of Glasgow, in thecounty of Lanark, Scotland, have invented improved separating apparatusfor crushed or partially ground maize or other granular matter, of whichthe followin g is a full and particular specification.

My invention has for its object to effect a more complete separationthan hitherto accomplished of the constituents of maize or Indiancorn-th at is, the embryo or germ and the perisperm-in order that theseconstituents may be applied in a more advantageous and satisfactorymanner to the purposes for which each is best suited. My improvedapparatus may also be advantageously used for separating entire grain orcrushed grain, or granular matters of other kinds.

The improved separating apparatus is a slightly-inclined tray, fittedwith vertical surfaces which are inclined to each other in'plan,

' the tray having a horizontal jigging motion imparted. to it, so as tocause the grain fragments to strike the vertical surfaces, whereby thedesired separation is effected.

The use for similar purposes of vertical angular striking surfacesl isnot new nor claimed by me; but my invention consists in constructing andcombining or arranging such parts in the improved manner shown on theaccompanying drawings, and hereinafter particularly described.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a plan, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation,of the separating apparatus. Figs. 3 and 4 are a vertical section andelevation of a portion of the upper end of the tray.

The tray 1 2 3 4 is of a rhomboidal form in plan, and is placed at aslight inclination tothe horizontal, 1 2 being its higher end, and 3 4its lower end. This tray is carried by tapered supports 5, firmly xed inbearingblocks G at their bottom. ends, and made of suitable elastic woodcapable of bending and springing with the horizontal jigging motion ofthe tray. This horizontal jiggin g or reciprocating motion is impartedto the tray in a direction parallel to its upper end, 1 2, and lowerend, 3 4, by a connecting-rod, 7, jointed to a lug or staple on itsunder side, and actuated by a crank or eccentric pin, 8, on a revolvingshaft, 9, driven in any convenient manner, the pin 8 being by preferenceadjustable to admit of the reciprocating stroke being len gthened orshortened if required.

The sides 1 4 2 3 of the tray are inclined in plan, so as while parallelto each other to make angles of, by preference, sixty degrees of thecircle with the ends l 2 and 3 4, and the upper surface of the tray isdivided by ,verti-A cal partitions 10 11, parallel to the sides 1 4 and2 3, into as many compartments as may be convenient. A singlecompartment would answer, as separate quantities of materials areoperated on in each compartment, but there is an obvious advantage incombining several lnumber of these triangles, which are all alike,

should in each compartment exceed nine, while it is in practice foundbest to have about fifteen of them, as shown in the drawing.

The materials to be operated on are fed into one ofthe triangles in eachcompartment-say, the fourth or fifth one from the upper endand the lowerside of this triangle, or that parallel to the ends 1 2 and 3 4, is madeopen7 so that the materials may enter thence into the compartment. Asmall feed-hopper, 14, is fitted to each of the entering triangles; butin the drawings two of the compartments are represented as without theirfeed-hoppers, to show themore plainly the uninterrupted series oftriangles.

The reciprocating or jigging motion of the tray causes the grain tostrike against the various inclined surfaces, and a separation betweenthe heavier and li ghterparticles is thereby gradually effected, theheavier particles being nally delivered at the lower end, 3 4, of eachcompartment, and the lighterparticles at the higher end, l 2, anyconvenient vessels or bags being placed to receive the materials in eachcase.

As three or four of the angles are interposed between the inlet and theVoutlet for the light particles, the escape of anyheavy grain through thesaid out-let is eTectually prevented, Whereas in separators of thisclass as usually constructed the outlet for the light grain is close tothe inlet for the mixed grain to be separated, and in consequence muchheavy grain passes out with the light particles.

At the higher end, l 2, of the tray the discharge of the materials is tosome extent checked by lateral boards or plates 15 16, xed parallel tothe end, and a slightly-raisedY lip is also formed across the bottom ofthe opening or outlet from each compartment, which lip keeps back anyheavy particles that may be accidentally carried thus far, and with thelateral pieces l5 16 insures a lnore perfect separating action.

The heavier and lighter particles of the crushed or partially-groundmaize, which are very completely separated by my improved apparatus,are, respectively, the embryo or germ and the perisperxn; and theformer, When thus separated, may be more satisfactorily treated thanheretofore for the obtainment of its oil, (ordinary oilpresses beingused for that purpose,) while the latter may be converted in to -iour orstarch in the ordinary Way, and forms a comparatively larger yield thanis obtained by the processes heretofore in use.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. A grainseparator tray having one or more compartments, provided witha series of triangles along one side, a grain-inlet, and the outlets atopposite ends, three or more of said triangles being interposed betweenthe said inlet and the outlet for the light particles of grain, allsubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. ln a grain-separator, the combination of a tray-compartment having aseries of triangles, one of which has an openin g at the bottom, with aremovable hopper, substantially as described.

R. BLAIR ROBERTSON.

Vitnesses Y EDMUND HUNT, LOCK MOORE.

